Nicias (470 BC-413 BC) was an Athenian politician and general during the Peloponnesian War.
Biography[]
Nicias was born in Athens, Attica in 470 BC, and he waas a member of the Athenian aristocracy. He inherited a large fortune from his father's silver mine business in Lavrio, and, following the death of Pericles in 429 BC, he became the principal rival of Cleon in the struggle for the political leadership of the state. Affiliated with the Aristocratic Party, Nicias was a moderate in his political views and opposed the aggressive imperialism of the democrats. He sought to make peace with Sparta as soon as it obtained terms favorable to Athens. He was regularly elected to serve as strategos (general) for Athens during the Peloponnesian War, and he led several expeditions which achieved little. In 421 BC, he was responsible for successful negotiations which led to the "Peace of Nicias", named for him. Following the peace, he objected to Alcibiades' plans for an invasion of Sicily, but he was appointed to participate in the invasion. The siege of Syracuse was successful until the arrival of Gylippus' Spartan army, upon which the Athenians themselves were besieged. Nicias was captured by the Spartans, and, while he reminded Gylippus of all of the times he had spared him, he was still executed.